MS Dhoni Gives Up On CSK

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced their sixth defeat in the last seven group-stage encounters of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 to stay at the bottom of the points table with a net run rate of -1.392. Their captain, MS Dhoni, coming into the presentation ceremony, accepted their elimination from the IPL 2025

CSK needs to win six successive games from here on with a big margin and expects a few results to go their way to qualify for the tournament playoffs. It will be incredibly hard for a side that has struggled with the team combination and the strategies.

“Important to get the right combination for next year”- MS Dhoni

The wicket-keeper batter got the captaincy back of the franchise after the regular leader, Ruturaj Gaikwad, got ruled out of the competition with an elbow injury. Coming into the post-match presentation after their nine-wicket defeat against the Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni showed the white flag.

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He claimed that while they would remain hopeful of making it into the playoffs of the season, they would also use their six remaining games to figure out the best possible team for the next year if things go to plan.

"With all the games in front of us that we are supposed to win, we will just take it one game at a time. And if we lose a few, what will be important for us to get the right combination for next year,” MS Dhoni expressed after the match about their mindset for the rest of the tournament.

“We don't want too many players getting changed. So, I think what will be important is to try and qualify. But if not, get a secured eleven for the next year and come back strong.” The Ranchi-born addressed.

It can be framed as an understatement from MS Dhoni, especially after how the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned the clock to win seven of their last group-stage games to qualify for the playoffs last season.

MS Dhoni echoes Stephen Fleming’s sentiments on CSK’s IPL 2025 journey

The five-time champions’ head coach, Stephen Fleming, echoed similar sentiments on the eve of the Mumbai clash as their captain, who pointed out how their batters would need to take the responsibility of scoring more runs to allow the bowlers to defend that successfully.

“What we need to realize is that we are successful if we play good cricket. At the same time, if we're not playing good cricket, what is important is not to get too emotional about it,” MS Dhoni explained.

“But we need to see whether we are playing the right form of cricket. Whether we are applying ourselves, or trying to put the amount of runs on the board that is what is needed for the bowlers to save. So, those are the question marks that we have got,” The 43-year-old elaborated.

Mumbai Indians show CSK the right batting approach

Chennai lost both their openers cheaply in the contest, while Ayush Mhatre, the 17-year-old, smacked 32 runs in 15 balls at a strike rate of 213.33. Both Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube celebrated their respective half-centuries to carry the side to 176/5 in their allotted 20 overs, which was 20-25 runs short of the par score with the presence of Dew.

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Mumbai took the right approach with the powerplay batting. Rohit Sharma finally found his timing and rhythm to notch up a fine unbeaten knock of 76 runs, while Suryakumar Yadav drilled an undefeated 68 runs in 30 balls to carry them over the winning margin by nine wickets.